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New route construction
The route of the Zugerberg Railway was rebuilt from 7 February to 10 December 2022. Since 11 December 2022, the Zugerberg Railway has been running again up the Zugerberg and down to the Schönegg valley station. The whole team is looking forward to finally welcoming you back on the railway. The opening was celebrated on the weekend of 10 and 11 December.
But what has actually happened in the last nine months?
At the start of construction, a crane lifted the two 11-tonne railway carriages from the track and brought them in for the 12-year overhaul, which was due anyway. The running gear and floor were also overhauled. The cable of the mountain railway was rolled up onto a bobbin and checked. This will be used again on the Zugerberg once the construction work has been completed. The 116-year-old track was then almost completely dismantled. In spring, a material cableway was installed along the route to transport the 18-metre-long, three-tonne track elements up the mountain. 104 new foundations were concreted for the 1280-metre-long section. The construction period was also used to carry out a comprehensive overhaul of the drive and gears.
The route of the Zugerberg Railway was raised by 60 centimetres, enabling better availability of the railway, especially in winter when there is heavy snowfall. Previously, operations had to be suspended after 20 centimetres of fresh snowfall. Thanks to the raised track, it is now possible to reduce the number of cancellations and snow clearing work on the track. The new route also creates a connection between the railway and nature. By raising the track, it is now possible for wildlife to pass underneath the tracks and small animals can pass through safely.
Background to the construction of the new railway line
The route of the Zugerberg Railway stretches over 1,280 metres from the Schönegg valley station to the Zugerberg mountain station. The Zugerberg Railway has been reliably travelling up to the local mountain and back down again for over 110 years.
Although the railway was last renewed in 2009, the track has defied snow, rain, wind and the stresses and strains of the railway since 1906. Thanks to reliable maintenance and targeted renovation measures over the years, the track has stood the test of time for over 110 years.
Since 2015, intensive work has been underway to rebuild the railway line. A thorough analysis of the situation and clarifications at all levels revealed that the realisation of a sustainable funicular railway to the Zugerberg was the primary objective. This required a fundamental renewal of the building fabric.
- Start of construction: 07 February 2022
- Removal of old route
- Placement of new route at exactly the same location
- Realisation of an elevated route in accordance with the current construction standard
- This means that the rails will be raised by a few centimetres to half a metre
- Advantage of elevated track: more stable operation, as the railway will have fewer interruptions due to snow in winter
- Construction completion target: 2022 before the onset of winter
- The project team pays particular attention to the special landscape and natural environment in which the route is located.
- The project team is very aware of this responsibility and has a clear focus on environmentally friendly construction and realisation.
- The project team is supported and advised by a construction biologist.
- A construction cable car is being built to ensure sustainable material handling, which will allow for environmentally friendly construction.
Philipp Hofmann, Managing Director of Zugerbergbahn AG and Vroni Straub, President of the Board of Directors, on the initial situation and construction planning:
From 1907 until today
When the mountain railway was being planned in Zug, famous mountain railways were already in operation on the neighbouring mountains, whose bold installations had attracted attention far beyond Switzerland's borders.
The maiden voyage of the Zugerberg railway in spring 1907 was celebrated in the Kurhaus Schönfels. The first few years were difficult. Fewer passengers than hoped visited the Zugerberg.
The "Golden Twenties" then brought the longed-for figures. The Zugerberg rose in favour with visitors from near and far.
Shortly after the Zugerberg Railway's 75th birthday, it was extensively modernised and renovated. It was rebuilt again in 2009: The Zugerberg Railway was made wheelchair accessible; various modifications to the valley and mountain stations as well as new panoramic carriages made it possible to reach the Zugerberg without steps.
